Catholic Vitamin B: Body Blog Page

A former non-Catholic, a mixed marriage, a pharmacist… so where in the world does A BODY IN PRAYER come from? That’s what this Catholic Vitamin B for BODY features — an interview with a first-time author Neil Combs from New York.

This book is a short, easy-to-read publication by the respected BEZALEL BOOKS publishing company. We’ve featured Cheryl Dickow’s works and other authors published through Bezalel several times. Cheryl is the President of Bezalel and a ‘scholar’ on our Jewish Roots in Catholicism.

About Neil Combs? He’s a husband and father. He says he’s not sure where the idea for his book came from. Truthfully, he might not seem an author for a book on prayer. But don’t let the brevity or Neil’s casual approach to his work fool you. This is a book to spend time with. From your head to your feet.

Here’s a summary of a part from A BODY IN PRAYER in the chapter devoted to the stomach.

• Fasting

“Normally there are about three reasons we’d really give any thought to our stomachs. It’s either because we are watching our waistlines, we have a stomach ache, or our stomach is screaming, “Feed me!” I’m betting prayer probably doesn’t come immediately to mind.

Fasting is one of the oldest, most traditional forms of prayer recorded, though it seems to have fallen out of favor in recent years. It’s too bad, because fasting can be a very powerful form of prayer. I believe it is a key to a more effective prayer life.

In the Sermon on the Mount, Jesus said, “And when you fast, do not look dismal, like the hypocrites, for they disfigure their faces that their fasting may be seen by men. Truly, I say to you, they have received their reward. But when you fast, anoint your head and wash your face, that your fasting may not be seen by men but by your Father who is in secret; and your Father who sees in secret will reward you” (Matthew 6:16-18). Did you catch the first few words of that passage? Jesus didn’t say if you fast, he said when you fast, and he said it twice!”

Thank you Neil for guesting with us. I hope you can lead others to an improved mindset about ways and attitudes toward prayer.

On the show, we featured two favorites for Catholic music: BRYAN FLYNN from his album BORN AGAIN. We featured the title song BORN AGAIN. Find Bryan’s music at www.bryanflynn.com

We also wish to thank our good friend and TECH GENIUS Bryan Murdaugh for the use of his music from his album TWENTY NINE. We featured his song GLORY which is his extract from Psalm 29. Good stuff, Maynard 🙂